Page:The Aborigines of Victoria and Riverina.djvu/151

146 regret to you; therefore, I strongly advise you to consider the matter well in all its bearings before you think of coming to any decision."

The sly dame Courtenie saw plainly enough that the poor innocent Kurwie had already made up her mind to the sacrifice of her wings, although all the time she pretended not to be paying the slightest attention to her too-willing victim's cogitations; however, when the stupid simpleton, after no very long course of thought, said: "Well, you cut 'em tertow (wing or arm) belonging to me, for although lam perfectly well aware of the seriousness of such a proceeding, still I think that the advantages I shall gain thereby will considerably more than counterbalance the deprivation."

When the deluded biped had finished speaking, the wicked Courtenie's eyes twinkled with untold roguery. So greatly overjoyed was she at the success cf her nefarious scheme, she came very nearly forgetting her assumed rolêrôle [sic], and so spreading out her wings in perfect jubilation, which, if she had done, as a matter of course her little piece of diabolism would have come to a termination. With a severe struggle, however, she managed to keep her countenance whilst she performed the required amputation, but almost before the delicate operation was finally completed, she gave unrestrained reins to her mirth, so spread wide her wings, bowed several times most gracefully to her all too confiding victim, and finished off by saying: "I hope, dear Kurwie, that you will be successful in your sport, even to the top of your heart, and that your vocal powers, when you try them, will far outrival in sweetness those possessed by any other bird